The world is changing at a remarkable pace. In a matter of fewer than 100 years, tremendous leaps have been taken by technology, so much so that in the next couple of decades AI can replace most of our long-drawn, tedious tasks. While this will save time and human effort, it will also be the cause of large-scale unemployment. Here’s how we can make ourselves more future-proof, and enhance the skills that will make us an asset in any organization in the future.
As more and more jobs are being delegated to machines in order to save time and minimize error, job roles and skills are now rapidly evolving to suit these advances. We now need to have a more varied set of abilities in order to be viewed as an asset by any hiring agency. Menial repetitive tasks and those requiring precision are being delegated to machines, while we need to further refine our more human traits. This means that humans will be delegated to the higher levels in a typical hierarchy of workers, with job descriptions that require overseeing and managing. While machines can be remarkably fast and efficient, they still cannot replicate creativity and emotional quotient that is characteristic of the human conscience.
Soft skills
Soft skills are being given a lot more emphasis on job recruitments these days. People with an ability to manage one or more teams of people with the right amount of empathy is key in social leadership. This outlook can be beneficial for the growth of any organization. The more automation takes over, the more value human skills will have. In order to have better productivity and cooperation, it is important to appeal to the softer side of the employee.
Adaptability
Adaptability is another very valuable skill for architects to develop. Swift Learning and unlearning skills in order to stay on top of the up-and-coming technology will be necessary so we can make full use of the resources available to us. Sometimes in order to learn something new, we have to forget our old ways. With all of the world’s knowledge at our fingertips, it is more important to know how our knowledge today will help us face the challenges of the future, without forgetting that education is not the end of learning.
Technical Know-how
Technical Know-how of not just software used in architecture but also in allied fields is important. Take for instance the growing developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence has given new scope for interactive technology to be used in various fields, including architecture. (Read more about that here). Not only can we create new spaces, but we can also let users feel that imaginary space in real-time, anywhere across the world. Learning how to adjust developments in other fields to suit the needs of our own will give valuable opportunities for collaboration and widen the scope of application of technology in architecture. BIM and flexible modeling software like Rhino and grasshopper are some very useful tools to master for upcoming architects.
Creative management skills
Creative management skills should be enhanced so that collaborations between different technical and creative fields can be promoted while protecting the rights of creators. In addition to this, systematic problem-solving techniques that are part of the design process of any architectural design is also a very valuable skill across the spectrum of jobs. Visual thinking can help give unique insights into the inherent process of coming up with solutions. It is also useful for better understanding the problems of the world today that would otherwise seem impossible to deal with.
Digital Interaction
Digital Interaction is also foremost today. In the age of social media, it is vital to have an online presence so as to as maintain a dialogue with contemporaries and audiences across the world. This will not only help with publicity but also in keeping up with the technologies emerging across the world. Along with this, the basic skills of putting up and maintaining information on a digital platform might come in use now, if you would want to enhance the authenticity of your work. This is especially important for architects who have plans of running their own practice.
Quality Control
Quality Control is a vital job requirement in fields where automation is replacing human effort. While machines can take over manufacturing processes, we will need humans to oversee the quality of the output. This is an important aspect not only for architects but also for people in other fields.
Architecture is one of the few sectors that has scope for a lot of growth despite the growing automation. While the process of construction and prefabrication benefit from more mechanization, the systematic thinking and creative problem solving inherent in a design development will be more sought after in order to satisfy the demands of the housing, commercial and industrial sectors.
